but this was only ona sase of a hundred. The chopping air. Jackson has referred to is sup- posed by some people to be needful. I venture to say that that is not so.
The Chinese are in no way in favour of chopping dollars. Every hong occasionally chops a thousand dollars as a sort of demonstration in order to be able to say "We always chop our coins, and if you want us to exchange a bad doliar you must show us our mark apon it." The practice is now fast going out, and you may now go into Bonham Strand and that diatrict without hearing the chop- prug hammer being used. There is now very little of it, and I feel sure that if Mr. Jackson and other baukera were to adopt a plan of discouraging this method, wo should have a clean currency, and save thereby four nths of the trouble of shroffing. There is five times as much trouble in abroßfag a thousand dollars which are chopped as there is in shroffing a thousand dollars which aro oleau. With chopped dollars you have to turn over both sides. I think, therefore, that this is, as Mr. Jackson bas said, A good opportunity for patting our currency upon a fair basis, and that it should not be lost. I may say i have been waiting for this opportunity for forty years, and I am de. lighted that we have so powerful an advocate in the matter as Mr. Jackson. (Applause) Will you therefore allow me to propose this resolution. That the Chamber regards the advent of the British dollar as an opportunity for placing the currevey of this Colony upon a satisfactory footing, that as a first step every means should be adopted to protect the new coins from the foolish prastics of chopping and defacement, and that the Government be requested by the Com- : mittee to legislate to that effect in this Colony.” (Applause).
Mr. JACKSON-I beg to second Mr. Sharp's proposal.
Mr. SHARP-I could tell you a great deal inore, but there is a review on, and I know you want to go there · (Laughter).
Mr SHEWAN-I would like to enquire whe- ther it would not be illegal to deface the now dullar, it being a British coin.
Mr. JACKSON To meet the special -as they think at how the special requirements of this colony, they have decided to allow it to be okopped and still remain a legal tender—the very thing we did not want. It will, as Mr. Sharp has said, di feat the one opportunity we have had of put- ting all coin npou a proper basis.
The CHAIRMAN-Before I put the resolution I will announce the result of the ballot. The Committee elected will consist of Messrs. A. G. Wood (Chairman), A. McConachie (Vice-Chair- man), R. M. Gray, N. A. Siobs. St. C. Michael. sen. T. H. Whitehead, Douglas Jones, and J. J. Ball-Irving.
Mr. Sharp's resolution was then put to the meeting and carried.
TREASURY
10096
REOS I JUL 95,
216
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